NEV Invitational - 1/6/13 - Lotus, 5 Moxen, Recall, Walk Tournament!

[Prospero]

Are you ready for the best prize support you've seen in the U.S. in years?  I hope so...


Top Deck Games Winter Open
Day 2 - Sunday, January 6th
Doors open at 10:00 AM.


WHERE:


Top Deck Games
55 Haddon Ave.
Westmont, NJ 08108

Plan to be at the store well before 11:00 AM. Out of respect for the players who do show up on time (decklist in hand), and to keep the event ending at a reasonable hour, pairings for Round 1 will be going up at 11:00 AM. If you are late, it will come with a Round 1 loss.


NEV Championship


REGISTRATION:

10:00 AM (Round 1 pairings go up @ 11:00 AM)
COST: See below ($0-$100)
FORMAT: Vintage - Unsanctioned, 10 proxies allowed.
REL: Competitive (like a PTQ)
Decklists are required (and published).

PRIZES:

1st place: 1st choice of UL Power 9, Trophy, and Bragging Rights!
2nd -8th place: 2nd-8th pick of remaining Power 9 (3th-4th and 5th-8th determined by standings after the final swiss round).
9th-16th place: $100 credit


2012 NEV Players Club:


This event is the finale of the 2012 NEV Series, a collaboration between myself (Nick Detwiler), Top Deck Games, Nick Coss, and Brother's Grim. Here are the people who earned their way here by playing in the NEV events all year long.

Level 6 - 64+ points:
(Same as Level 5 + Free entry into any 2012 NEV event!)

Justin Kohler - 68

Level 5 - 48+ Points:
(Same as Level 4 + Round 2 Bye!)

Josh Butker - 55
Ryan Glackin - 52
Shawn Griffiths - 52
Rob Edwards - 51
Tom Dixon - 50

Level 4 - 36+ Points:
(Same as Level 3 + Round 1 Bye!)

Raffaele Forino - 43
Jake Gans - 39
Matt Bliffert - 39
Josh Potucek - 38
Chris Pikula - 37

Level 3 - 24+ Points:
(Invite/Free Entry into the NEV Championship)

John Jones - 35
Michael Mahr - 33
Mike Hajduk - 31
Mike Egan - 30
Scott Hughes - 30
Matt Elias - 29
Dave Gans - 28
Joel Lim - 26
Brad Jarman - 26
Will Magrann - 25
Paul Mastriano - 24
Vito Picozzo - 24
William Sees - 24


LAST MINUTE QUALIFYING:


24 players have qualified for the NEV Invitational over the course of the year, but if you're not yet qualified you will still have a few opportunities to make it in!  

On Saturday, 1/5/13, Top Deck Games will be running Vintage grinders – eight man tournaments with the winner earning an invite to the big event!  

Here's the info:

WHAT:

8-Man Single Elimination NEV Qualifiers

WHEN: All Day

Cost: $15

PRIZES:

1st place: Entry into the NEV Invitational (held on Day 2)
2nd place: $20 credit

Can't make the grinders on Saturday?  No worries.  There are 15 invites to the Invitational that are able to be purchased for $100 apiece.  If you sign up for the event via FB or TMD you will have until midnight on Tuesday, January 1st before you will be considered 'locked in' for the event.  No cancellations will be accepted after that date.


Purchased Invites:


1.  Mike Lupo
2.  Vincent Forino
3.  Jesse Martin
4.  Chris Varosky
5.  Jonathan Geras
6.  Greg Fenton
7.  Keith Seals
8.  Raymond Robillard
9.  Brian Schlossberg
10.  Ryan Fisher
11.  Andrew Ferrante
12.  Chris Ferrante
13.
14.
15.

I've been playing Vintage for twelve years and I have never played in an event with prize support like this.  These events just don't happen in the U.S.  If you have the ability to make the event, you definitely should!

Nick and I are both looking forward to seeing you there!

[John Jones]

Can players who are already q'd play in the qualifiers?

Can I pay to buy one pt for 15, so I can have a bye?

Is 100 enough for auto entry? Seems low. It also seems like if you took this route you have a better EV than if you played in more than 4 events and q'd?

Couldn't 8 players each pay 12.5 dollars each for 8 tourneys scoop themselves in and net 160 from 2nd place prizes? Ie paying only 80 a piece?

[brokenbacon]

THANK YOU, NICK.
Team TDI will try its best to be around for the qualifiers.

[Prospero]

Can players who are already q'd play in the qualifiers?

Yes, though a victory will not net you anything.

Can I pay to buy one pt for 15, so I can have a bye?

While you are able to potentially purchase entry to the event, you are not able to buy points beyond that.  Additional points are not for sale to those who have qualified.

Is 100 enough for auto entry? Seems low. It also seems like if you took this route you have a better EV than if you played in more than 4 events and q'd?

$100 is low.  Then again, Nick and I extended ourselves in order to try and grow the format.  We took significant financial risk in order to do so.  The events that you played in were events with strong prize support, regardless of the additional prize; qualification for the NEV Invitational.  

Additionally, Nick and I reserved the right to change the nature of the Invitational.  

Couldn't 8 players each pay 12.5 dollars each for 8 tourneys scoop themselves in and net 160 from 2nd place prizes? Ie paying only 80 a piece?

Given that the second place prize is $20 in credit, which is not redeemable for cash, the answer is no.  

[rpf5029]

2nd -8th place: 2nd-8th pick of remaining Power 9 (3th-4th and 5th-8th determined by standings after the final swiss round).

To clarify (Or, I have to have it spelled out for me), playing out top 8 only matters for first and second pick? 

This is incredible, guys.  I hope I can make it down. 

Also, John, if eight players wanted to do it that way, they would have to pay $120 for eight entries and then all take second place once, costing them $100 and making them spend $20 in credit.  This $100 offer is much more elegant and generous.  (And avoids any shady dealings).  That said, if I were them, I would have made the auto buy-in $120. 

[Prospero]

2nd -8th place: 2nd-8th pick of remaining Power 9 (3th-4th and 5th-8th determined by standings after the final swiss round).

To clarify (Or, I have to have it spelled out for me), playing out top 8 only matters for first and second pick? 

This is incredible, guys.  I hope I can make it down. 

Yes, I suppose first and second are all that would be decided by this, but then again, everybody who makes top eight walks away with a piece of power, so it can't be that bad, right?

You're a good man, Fish.

[rpf5029]

Haha, there is nothing "bad" about this.  Especially since I plan on taking that Monday off to be home for the BCS National Championship.  I just hope I can hitch a ride with some NEPA folks.    May have to drive down to A-1's house and hitch a ride with him.  (I hate the idea of driving through Philly.  >_<)

[Cruel Ultimatum]

2nd -8th place: 2nd-8th pick of remaining Power 9 (3th-4th and 5th-8th determined by standings after the final swiss round).

To clarify (Or, I have to have it spelled out for me), playing out top 8 only matters for first and second pick? 

This is incredible, guys.  I hope I can make it down. 

Also, John, if eight players wanted to do it that way, they would have to pay $120 for eight entries and then all take second place once, costing them $100 and making them spend $20 in credit.  This $100 offer is much more elegant and generous.  (And avoids any shady dealings).  That said, if I were them, I would have made the auto buy-in $120. 

As dar as I can tell, the standings is used as a secondary way of determining. So if I come into the t8 at 8th seed, win in the quarterfinals then lose kn the semis I would have 4th pick, not last pick.

[Thecheese]

Can players who are already q'd play in the qualifiers?

Can I pay to buy one pt for 15, so I can have a bye?

Is 100 enough for auto entry? Seems low. It also seems like if you took this route you have a better EV than if you played in more than 4 events and q'd?

Couldn't 8 players each pay 12.5 dollars each for 8 tourneys scoop themselves in and net 160 from 2nd place prizes? Ie paying only 80 a piece?

You're just over thinking things.

[rpf5029]

2nd -8th place: 2nd-8th pick of remaining Power 9 (3th-4th and 5th-8th determined by standings after the final swiss round).

To clarify (Or, I have to have it spelled out for me), playing out top 8 only matters for first and second pick? 

This is incredible, guys.  I hope I can make it down. 

Also, John, if eight players wanted to do it that way, they would have to pay $120 for eight entries and then all take second place once, costing them $100 and making them spend $20 in credit.  This $100 offer is much more elegant and generous.  (And avoids any shady dealings).  That said, if I were them, I would have made the auto buy-in $120. 

As dar as I can tell, the standings is used as a secondary way of determining. So if I come into the t8 at 8th seed, win in the quarterfinals then lose kn the semis I would have 4th pick, not last pick.

Yep.  This.  I'm dumb. 

[Cody.TopDeckInsurrection]

Only 10 proxies for the championship on Sunday?

[cvarosky80]

As Bart Scott would say: "Can't wait!"

[Prospero]

Only 10 proxies for the championship on Sunday?

Yes.

Wizards has said that they view proxies as intellectual property theft.  Pressure has been put on several members of the Vintage community to eliminate proxies.  While I sincerely doubt that it would come to the point of litigation, Wizards holds all the power in this situation, as they control access to the product that many T/O's and store owners need in order to survive. 

I believe that this will eventually be a good thing.

I was T/O'ing events when proxies were introduced to the U.S.  I was one of the guilty parties who accepted that proxies were a 'good' thing, a means to allow players time to acquire the cards that they needed in order to continue playing the format that they loved.  What happened was that most players didn't acquire the cards, and then demanded more proxies. 

Initially it was five proxies.  Then it was 10.  Now it's 15 in most places, and you can find tournaments in the U.S. that offer unlimited proxies.  I don't know that I fully buy that there was such a flight of power from the U.S. to the E.U. that we can't fully power ourselves now, but I do think that many players, when given the option to take the card or credit choose the latter and not the former.  This needs to stop.

For years I believed that there was a direct correlation between the number of proxies allowed and the attendance at an event.  There are myriad factors that go into the attendance of an American event, or an event anywhere, but the simple fact is that American events see much weaker turnout than European events.  I'm now of the opinion that American events should be styled after European events.  Notably, this includes cutting down the number of proxies until we're fully sanctioned. 

I am not personally running events in 2013, but I am pushing for players to pick up the cards that they need in order to play, and I'm pushing for the store owners to cut down on the number of proxies allowed.  Comic Book Depot events will move to 10, and we will work to eventually eliminate proxies. 

This is an answer to a specific question regarding the NEV Invitational.  This is not an invite to discuss proxies, and their function, in the U.S.  If you would like to do that, I suggest using the Vintage Issues forum.  Anyone who derails this thread with discussion about proxies (instead of using the proper forum, which is open to them) will receive moderation on the part of the staff. 

[John Jones]

Okay well boo to not buying points. 

Gl everyone.
 I am playing one of the following decks

2004 espresso
Turbotezz v1.5
Turbotezz v2.5
UB AoB tezz
Uwb bobsnapflashguys aka s.g.
Merfolk -vial +null
This sick hightide deck that is so close to working but doesn't.
Landstill with something crazy like 4 disk and 4 ostone main
Bsc nonsense oath with an infinite mill combo?? Whaaa!!!??
Dredge *rolls eyes* I have it I guess. It is nutty sometimes.
Salvagers
Something with yawgs will for a change
Lichs mirror with burning wish for channel
Bwg doran shaman smash
I'm definitely forcing ancestral recall. Regardless of what I'm playing I will make it work, cept shops. Unless its running cob. Then maybe.
I would also like to run stiflenaught that would be sick to bring back. MM makes it better....

It's times like these you wish you had $1000 and 10 clones.

[rpf5029]

Lichs mirror with burning wish for channel

Oh my -- This didn't even cross my mind! 

[Cody.TopDeckInsurrection]

Please play stiflenaught!

[Asphyxious]

Oh man.  Don't encourage him.  I have to test all those with him!!

I guess I should just be glad that Battle of Wits isn't on that list.

Can't wait for the tourney Nick and Nick.  It's been awesome year, and I think this will be an awesome finale.

[Cody.TopDeckInsurrection]

Oh man.  Don't encourage him.  I have to test all those with him!!

I guess I should just be glad that Battle of Wits isn't on that list.

Can't wait for the tourney Nick and Nick.  It's been awesome year, and I think this will be an awesome finale.

I can't imagine it's not fun to test with him

[Asphyxious]

lol  it's never a dull moment.  That's for sure.

[brokenbacon]

John, it won't matter what you bring, because I will be lighting it on fire with my Tendrils for 37.5 storm. You can Burning Wish for Granny's Payback for all I care.

[JACO]

Interesting announcement. This is on the exact same day as a very large Legacy Grand Prix, and you are announcing it 3 weeks away from the actual tournament date. I wish you luck in this endeavor, but am wondering what turnout will be like for this. Hopefully very large!

[Prospero]

Interesting announcement. This is on the exact same day as a very large Legacy Grand Prix, and you are announcing it 3 weeks away from the actual tournament date. I wish you luck in this endeavor, but am wondering what turnout will be like for this. Hopefully very large!

As the Grand Prix in question is in Denver, which is just over 1,700 miles away, we're not that worried.

Given that the event is structured to support no more than 50 or so players, we're not looking for turnout of hundreds of players.

Thanks for the concern, though!

[mikekilljoy]

Interesting announcement. This is on the exact same day as a very large Legacy Grand Prix, and you are announcing it 3 weeks away from the actual tournament date. I wish you luck in this endeavor, but am wondering what turnout will be like for this. Hopefully very large!

The bigger concern would be the PTQ in North Jersey on the 6th. But again, most of those players wouldn't be coming to this event anyway.

[Samoht]

Interesting announcement. This is on the exact same day as a very large Legacy Grand Prix, and you are announcing it 3 weeks away from the actual tournament date. I wish you luck in this endeavor, but am wondering what turnout will be like for this. Hopefully very large!

The bigger concern would be the PTQ in North Jersey on the 6th. But again, most of those players wouldn't be coming to this event anyway.

PTQ in Jersey? Oh well, guess I'm going to miss the invitational then...

[Cody.TopDeckInsurrection]

What's proxy limit on Saturday?

[Thecheese]

Didn't I read somewhere that there will be a side vintage mox event for those that don't qualify?

[Prospero]

Didn't I read somewhere that there will be a side vintage mox event for those that don't qualify?

We're still working on the details for that, but there should be one.  It'll be really basic and probably kick off in the early afternoon.  It'll allow time for those who don't have a great day at the Invitational to drop at 0-2 and play.   

[Thecheese]

Didn't I read somewhere that there will be a side vintage mox event for those that don't qualify?

We're still working on the details for that, but there should be one.  It'll be really basic and probably kick off in the early afternoon.  It'll allow time for those who don't have a great day at the Invitational to drop at 0-2 and play.   

Very good idea!

Who's showing up Saturday for the 8 man qualifiers?

[Cody.TopDeckInsurrection]

Didn't I read somewhere that there will be a side vintage mox event for those that don't qualify?

We're still working on the details for that, but there should be one.  It'll be really basic and probably kick off in the early afternoon.  It'll allow time for those who don't have a great day at the Invitational to drop at 0-2 and play.   

Very good idea!

Who's showing up Saturday for the 8 man qualifiers?

Every member of Team TDI will be there and we guarantee a top 8 by all of us!! Ill be running by favorite list for the qualifier (and championship for that matter)'solymossy control'  get ready people!

[Thecheese]

Didn't I read somewhere that there will be a side vintage mox event for those that don't qualify?

We're still working on the details for that, but there should be one.  It'll be really basic and probably kick off in the early afternoon.  It'll allow time for those who don't have a great day at the Invitational to drop at 0-2 and play.   

I guess you guys will top 8 since they are 8 man qualifiers

Very good idea!

Who's showing up Saturday for the 8 man qualifiers?

Every member of Team TDI will be there and we guarantee a top 8 by all of us!! Ill be running by favorite list for the qualifier (and championship for that matter)'solymossy control'  get ready people!